Chalk applicator

ABSTRACT

A system and method for applying color pigment from one or more different sticks of hair chalk. A chalk cartridge is disposed within an arm of a housing. The cartridge within the arm may hold one or more sticks of hair chalk for application to a set of hair strands. A user may use the housing to define the set of hair strands and use the device to apply pigment from the hair chalk onto the selected set of hair strands. In a case where the chalk cartridge holds multiple sticks of chalk, there may be included a mechanism to select a particular one of the multiple sticks of chalk for pigment application at any particular time, even for the same or different portions of the identified set of hair strands.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an applicator for stranded material, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a chalk applicator for human hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions.

There are many systems and methods for affecting an appearance of human hair. These systems and method may include an application of a pigment material to outer surfaces of strands of hair. Sometimes that material is available in special formats, such as a stick of color chalk. This color chalk may include the desired pigment along with a base, such as a clay or other foundation that allows packaging, storage, and use of the pigment as well as transfer and adhesion to the strands of hair.

In the case of sticks of chalk, some users simply hold a stick of the desired color in their hand and rub the stick over the desired set of hair strands. This solution can be messy, making it less than optimal which can negatively impact the use of this system and leave a user desiring an improved system.

A complication is that a user may sometimes apply water to the hair and/or the chalk to improve the transfer of pigment. This complication can increase a risk that the chalk medium is undesirably transferred to other objects other than the hair.

A further complication is that some users desire to use multiple colors, sometimes along a length of the same set of hair strands. It can be difficult for a single user, without assistance, to manage changing sticks of hair chalk while managing the set of hair strands and transfer location.

What is needed is a system and method for applying color pigment from one or more different sticks of hair chalk.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a system and method for applying color pigment from one or more different sticks of hair chalk. The following summary of the invention is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the technical features related to material application from a solid medium, and is not intended to be a full description of the present invention. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the invention can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole. The present invention is applicable to other material in addition to pigment, to other media in addition to hair chalk and to application of material/pigment to other things in addition to a set of hair strands.

An embodiment of the present invention may include a chalk cartridge disposed within an arm of a housing. The cartridge within the arm may hold one or more sticks of hair chalk for application to a set of hair strands. A user may use the housing to define the set of hair strands and use the device to apply pigment from the hair chalk onto the selected set of hair strands. In a case where the chalk cartridge holds multiple sticks of chalk, there may be included a mechanism to select a particular one of the multiple sticks of chalk for pigment application at any particular time, even for the same or different portions of the identified set of hair strands.

Am embodiment of the present invention may include a housing including a pair of arms having opposing faces. The set of hair strands may be selectively disposed between the pair of arms at a contact location at a first one of the opposing faces. In one of the arms, the chalk cartridge may be disposed such that the particular one desired stick of chalk is presented at the contact location. For an embodiment that includes multiple sticks of hair chalk, the cartridge may be moveable in some fashion, e.g., sliding or rotating, to variably and controllably select just one stick of hair chalk of the multiple sticks disposed within the chalk cartridge.

An embodiment of the present invention may include a pressure bar at a second one of the opposing faces at the contact location. The set of hair strands at the contact location may be presented between the pressure bar and the particular one stick of hair chalk. The pressure bar may be biased to apply pressure to the set of hair strands as the set of hair strands are contacting the selected one stick of hair chalk. In some embodiments, there may be a motor, e.g., an eccentric electric or mechanical motor, for vibrating one or both of the pressure bar and chalk cartridge.

An embodiment of the present invention may include a pair of arms hinged together at one end, the pair of arms are configured to pivot and may selectively capture the set of hair strands at one end. Inner faces of the arms that contact the set of hair strands may define the contact location. One arm, at the contact location, may include a rotating chalk cartridge that holds two or more sticks of hair chalk, one of which (preferably only one but some implementations may include multiple sticks of hair chalk in concurrent use) is available for material application at any time. In the other arm, the pressure bar biases the set of hair strands against the selected stick(s) of chalk at the current location to improve disposition of the material (e.g., pigment) onto the set of hair strands. In some cases, the motor vibrates the pressure bar while applying the material onto the set of hair strands which may, in some instances, improve transfer of the material from the selected stick(s) of chalk.

<<claim summaries here once approved>>

Any of the embodiments described herein may be used alone or together with one another in any combination. Inventions encompassed within this specification may also include embodiments that are only partially mentioned or alluded to or are not mentioned or alluded to at all in this brief summary or in the abstract. Although various embodiments of the invention may have been motivated by various deficiencies with the prior art, which may be discussed or alluded to in one or more places in the specification, the embodiments of the invention do not necessarily address any of these deficiencies. In other words, different embodiments of the invention may address different deficiencies that may be discussed in the specification. Some embodiments may only partially address some deficiencies or just one deficiency that may be discussed in the specification, and some embodiments may not address any of these deficiencies.

Other features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon a review of the present disclosure, including the specification, drawings, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a chalk applicator;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a system using the chalk applicator of FIG. 1 to transfer material onto a set of hair strands;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section view of the chalk applicator of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of components of an embodiment of the chalk applicator of FIG. 1-FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for applying color pigment from one or more different sticks of hair chalk. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements.

Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.

Definitions

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this general inventive concept belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The following definitions apply to some of the aspects described with respect to some embodiments of the invention. These definitions may likewise be expanded upon herein.

As used herein, the term “or” includes “and/or” and the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

As used herein, the singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an object can include multiple objects unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

As used herein, the term “set” refers to a collection of one or more objects. Thus, for example, a set of objects can include a single object or multiple objects. Objects of a set also can be referred to as members of the set. Objects of a set can be the same or different. In some instances, objects of a set can share one or more common properties.

As used herein, the term “adjacent” refers to being near or adjoining. Adjacent objects can be spaced apart from one another or can be in actual or direct contact with one another. In some instances, adjacent objects can be coupled to one another or can be formed integrally with one another.

As used herein, the terms “connect,” “connected,” and “connecting” refer to a direct attachment or link. Connected objects have no or no substantial intermediary object or set of objects, as the context indicates.

As used herein, the terms “couple,” “coupled,” and “coupling” refer to an operational connection or linking. Coupled objects can be directly connected to one another or can be indirectly connected to one another, such as via an intermediary set of objects.

The use of the term “about” applies to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. This term generally refers to a range of numbers that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider as a reasonable amount of deviation to the recited numeric values (i.e., having the equivalent function or result). For example, this term can be construed as including a deviation of ±10 percent of the given numeric value provided such a deviation does not alter the end function or result of the value. Therefore, a value of about 1% can be construed to be a range from 0.9% to 1.1%.

As used herein, the terms “substantially” and “substantial” refer to a considerable degree or extent. When used in conjunction with an event or circumstance, the terms can refer to instances in which the event or circumstance occurs precisely as well as instances in which the event or circumstance occurs to a close approximation, such as accounting for typical tolerance levels or variability of the embodiments described herein.

As used herein, the terms “optional” and “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances in which it does not.

FIG. 1 illustrates a chalk applicator 100 including a first arm 105 and a second arm 110 rotatably coupled together (e.g., hinged) using a pivot or a rod 115. First arm 105 includes a compartment 120 for positioning a cartridge (not shown). This cartridge holds one or more sticks of hair chalk. Chalk applicator 100 employs a cartridge that defines a number of slots to include an N number of sticks of hair chalk, N being an integer of the set {2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or more}.

The cartridge is rotatable within compartment 120 using an externally accessible mechanical interface 125 mechanically coupled to, or part of, the cartridge. Mechanical interface 125 allows an operator to position a desired one stick of the sticks of hair chalk into an application position for transference of chalk material onto a set of hair strands. The hair may be growing from a scalp or part of a wig, hair prosthesis, or the like. The application position is at an inner face of first arm 105 at a contact location 130.

An access door 135 allows access to the cartridge, such as to remove and/or replace the cartridge and/or any of the sticks of hair chalk. That is, some embodiments may include a removable cartridge and some may include a cartridge fixed in place that allows a stick of chalk to be added or removed in situ.

Access door 135 may be wholly or partially transparent to allow inspection of the cartridge and/or individual ones of the sticks of chalk. This may be useful to allow the user to determine without trial and error which stick is rotated to the application position, or to determine whether any of the sticks require servicing or maintenance.

A pressure bar 140 is disposed at an inner face of second arm 110 at contact location 130 and in opposition to the application position of the selected stick of chalk disposed within the cartridge. Pressure bar 140 is biased toward first arm 105 to increase pressure against the selected stick of chalk. A set of springs may be used to bias pressure bar 140. An optional motor 145 may be coupled to pressure bar 140 to enable pressure bar 140 to vibrate during transference of material from the hair chalk onto the set of hair strands.

A longitudinal axis extends between the proximal ends to the distal ends. The cartridge includes a rotation axis parallel to the longitudinal axis and a number of slots, each slot for receipt of an individual stick of hair chalk. As noted herein, the chalk medium is typically disposed in stick form and the cartridge is adapted to retain and store individual sticks of hair chalk. An advantage of the cartridge system, even for a single stick, is that different sticks may be presented in different formats (e.g., length, width, differing cross-sections (square, rectangular, circular, oval) and a cartridge may be designed for any desired format. This way a user is able to quickly adapt chalk applicator 100 to employ any format while avoiding contacting the stick with the hands during use. In some cases, a single cartridge may be designed to accept different formats in different ones of its slots.

In operation, the operator selects a set of hair strands and locates them at contact location 130. The operator then closes first arm 105 and second arm 110 to engage the set of hair strands between the selected stick of hair chalk and pressure bar 140.

While engaged, the operator moves chalk applicator 100 against the set of hair strands, for example a motion from roots to ends. While moving, the operator may operate mechanical interface 125 to move a different stick of hair chalk into the application position against the set of hair strands. This may, for example, change the pigment being transferred onto the set of hair strands during motion when the material of the stick of chalk include differently pigmented materials. Some of the sticks of chalk may include other material in addition to, or in lieu of, pigment. For example, some sticks of hair chalk may include some effect to modify a transferred pigment such as a glitter or other effect. The user is enabled to easily select different sticks of chalk for the same selected set of hair strands during operation of chalk applicator 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a system 200 using chalk applicator 100 to transfer material onto a set of hair strands 205. System 200 includes first arm 105 and second arm 110 closed together to engage set of hair strands 205 as described above. The operator moves chalk applicator 100 in the direction of arrow 210 which applies material from the selected stick of chalk (e.g., pigment) to a first portion 215 of set of hair strands 205. A second portion 220 of set of hair strands 205 may be treated similarly to first portion 215 in the event that the operator moves chalk applicator over second portion 220, and does not employ mechanical interface 125 to select a different stick of hair chalk during the transition of treating first portion 215 to treating second portion 220.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-section view of chalk applicator 100 of system 200. In FIG. 3, additional details are illustrated including a cartridge 305 rotatably mounted within compartment 120. Cartridge 305 is illustrated having a four-stick capacity (e.g., four slots) to retain 1-N, N=4 sticks of hair chalk 310.

A particular one stick of hair chalk 310 ₁ is at the application position in opposition to biased pressure bar 140. Hair chalk 310 ₁ was used to transfer material onto first portion 215. The operator may continue to move chalk applicator 100 in the direction of arrow 210 to transfer material onto second portion 220. The operator may use the mechanical interface to select and rotate a different stick of hair chalk 310 _(x) to the application position during use.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of components of an embodiment of chalk applicator 100 of FIG. 1-FIG. 3. Chalk applicator 100 includes a battery 405, motor 145 including a momentary switch 410, a motor pager 415, and an offset weight and motor support 420, and a set of biasing springs 425 for pressure bar 140.

The system and methods above has been described in general terms as an aid to understanding details of preferred embodiments of the present invention. In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. Some features and benefits of the present invention are realized in such modes and are not required in every case. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the present invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “a specific embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus, respective appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a specific embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application.

Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted. Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear.

The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Thus, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the scope of the invention is to be determined solely by the appended claims. 

1. A chalk applicator for a set of sticks of hair chalk, comprising: a first arm having a first face, a first proximal end, and a first distal end; a second arm having a second face, a second proximal end, and a second distal end wherein said second proximal end is hingedly coupled to said first proximal end with said faces in opposition to each other; a compartment defining an application position in said first face at said first distal end; and a chalk cartridge complementary to said compartment and defining a first slot for a first one stick of hair chalk from the set of sticks of hair chalk to position said first one stick at said application position.
 2. The chalk applicator of claim 1 further comprising a pressure bar disposed in said second face at said second distal end opposite from said application position.
 3. The chalk applicator of claim 2 further comprising a set of structures biasing said pressure bar towards said first arm.
 4. The chalk applicator of claim 2 further comprising a motor system coupled to said pressure bar and configured to vibrate said pressure bar.
 5. The chalk applicator of claim 3 further comprising a motor system coupled to said pressure bar and configured to vibrate said pressure bar.
 6. The chalk applicator of claim 1 wherein said chalk cartridge further defines a second slot for a second one stick of hair chalk from the set of sticks of hair chalk and wherein said chalk cartridge includes a rotational mounting inside said compartment to selectively and controllably position either said first slot or said second slot at said application position.
 7. The chalk applicator of claim 6 further comprising an exterior mechanical interface coupled to said chalk cartridge wherein said exterior mechanical interface is configured to select and control which of said slots are rotated to said application position.
 8. The chalk applicator of claim 2 wherein said chalk cartridge further defines a second slot for a second one stick of hair chalk from the set of sticks of hair chalk and wherein said chalk cartridge includes a rotational mounting inside said compartment to selectively and controllably position either said first slot or said second slot at said application position.
 9. The chalk applicator of claim 3 wherein said chalk cartridge further defines a second slot for a second one stick of hair chalk from the set of sticks of hair chalk and wherein said chalk cartridge includes a rotational mounting inside said compartment to selectively and controllably position either said first slot or said second slot at said application position.
 10. The chalk applicator of claim 4 wherein said chalk cartridge further defines a second slot for a second one stick of hair chalk from the set of sticks of hair chalk and wherein said chalk cartridge includes a rotational mounting inside said compartment to selectively and controllably position either said first slot or said second slot at said application position.
 11. The chalk applicator of claim 5 wherein said chalk cartridge further defines a second slot for a second one stick of hair chalk from the set of sticks of hair chalk and wherein said chalk cartridge includes a rotational mounting inside said compartment to selectively and controllably position either said first slot or said second slot at said application position.
 12. A method for applying hair chalk, comprising: a) selecting a first particular stick of chalk from a set of sticks of chalk disposed within a chalk compartment of a chalk applicator; b) sandwiching a set of hair strands between a pair of arms of said chalk applicator to contact said first particular stick of chalk with a first portion of said set of hair strands; and c) moving said chalk applicator while said set of hair strands are sandwiched and while said first particular stick of chalk contacts said set of hair strands to contact said first particular stick of chalk with a second portion of said set of hair strands; wherein said first particular stick of chalk is applied to said portions of said set of hair strands.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said set of sticks of chalk include said first stick of chalk and a second particular stick of chalk, further comprising: d) selecting said second particular stick of chalk; e) moving said chalk applicator while said set of hair strands are sandwiched and while said second particular stick of chalk contacts said set of hair strands to contact said second particular stick of chalk with a third portion of said set of hair strands; wherein said second particular stick of chalk is applied to said third portion of said set of hair strands.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein said sticks of chalk are disposed within a hair chalk cartridge.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein said sticks of chalk are disposed within a hair chalk cartridge.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein said first particular stick of chalk is disposed within a first aperture of a first arm of said pair of arms of said chalk applicator.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein a second arm of said pair of arms of said chalk applicator includes a pressure bar biasing said set of hair strands against said particular stick of chalk disposed within said aperture.
 18. The method of claim 17 including a motor coupled to said pressure bar.
 19. An applicator for a set of sticks of transferable media, comprising: a housing supporting a vibration engine producing a vibration motion; and a head, coupled to said housing, supporting a set of media slots, each said media slot of said set of media slots configured to secure and retain one stick of transferable media from the set of sticks of transferable media; wherein said head is configured to vibrate said set of slots responsive to said vibration motion.
 20. The applicator of claim 19 wherein the transferable media includes hair chalk, wherein the set of sticks of transferable media includes at least two sticks of transferable media, wherein each said stick of hair chalk incudes an elongate shape defining a chalk axis, wherein said housing defines a longitudinal axis, wherein said set of media slots includes at least two media slots, wherein each said media slot includes a cavity configuration complementary to said elongate shape with each said slot defining a slot axis parallel to said longitudinal axis. 